Happy Birthday, Vladimir Lenin

Today is Earth Day and, not coincidentally, the birthday of Vladimir Lenin.  The connection between the two is controversial but not unexpected.  Both Lenin and modern day "environmentalists" believe that they have been ordained to dictate to others how they should live their lives.  Both also hold, or in Lenin's case, held, to the belief that the world is overpopulated-.  Lenin merely had a more direct means of dealing with the problem.

My new favorite Earth Day quote:

The great thing about worshipping trees is that tress rarely ask you to do anything. Scott Ott on Celebrating Earth Day

So, in our family we will be enjoying our traditional Earth Day meal-hot dogs roasted over burning tires.  Mother Gaia will survive, thrive and continue as she has for millions of years to do what ever she damn well pleases.  And in her honor, so will I.

Hollywood is Lower Rated Than George W. Bush

Ed Driscoll quoting from Big Hollywood:

...For Hollywood to have an approval rating of 33%, just a touch lower than George W. Bush’s the week before he left office, it should be a splash of cold water to those running the show in Tinseltown.

And Driscoll concludes:

Between Roman Polanski, Mel Gibson, Michael Richards, Spike Lee, and all of the pro-Taliban activists running amok in Tinseltown, Hollywood has pretty much offended everyone. As Mark Steyn wrote in 2004 after a particularly disastrous Hollywood fundraiser for John Kerry, “Having the most popular figures in popular culture on your side can seriously damage your popularity.” On the other hand, much as modern day General Motors is a union healthcare and retirement plan that produces cars as an derivative industry, Hollywood’s chief product these days is political activism. It produces mass-market entertainment as an increasingly vestigial and legacy offshoot of its primary business function.

Who would have thunk it?  Just because Hollywood is populated by under-educated, foul mouthed, drug addled, silicone filled amoral do nothings who think that class is vested upon them by virtue of their ability to fake personhood on cue, there is no reason to think ill of the "beautiful people."  Afterall, were they not highly paid for being marginally talented most of the denizens of Hollywood would probably exist on the taxpayer's dime.  Come to think of it, that may be why most actors and actresses support Democrats.

I Am Not Having Sex With Sen. Lindsey Graham

and therefore, I could not care less who he is having sex with.  Graham's policy positions interest me, his sexual positions do not.  I've never had anything nice to say about Lindsey Graham and I see no reason to start now, but with all the legitimate reasons there are to crack on Graham there is no excuse for stooping to personal attacks.  Conservatives are looking good in 2010.  Let's keep focused on what is important.

It is Too Late for Charlie to Come Back Now

Compare this:

BACKGROUND: RUBIO’S STRAW POLL RECORD (23-0)

-Pasco County REC: 73-9 (June 2009)

-Lee County REC: 60-11 (July 2009)

-Highlands County REC: 75-1 (July 2009)

-Bay County REC: 23-2 (August 2009)

-Jefferson County REC: 87 Percent (August 2009)

-Florida Federation of College Republicans: 19-6 (August 2009)

-Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated: 65-4 (September 2009)

-Gilchrist County REC: 11-1 (September 2009)

-Hernando County REC: 46-0 (September 2009)

-Northwest Orange Republican Women Federation: 49-3 (September 2009)

-Marion County REC: 40-8 (September 2009)

-Palm Beach County REC: 90-17 (October 2009)

-Okaloosa County REC: 86-4 (November 2009)

-Republican Club of South Sarasota County: 70-17 Percent (November 2009)

-Orange County Republican Party Hob Nob: 211-27 (November 2009)

-Pinellas County REC: 106-54 (January 2010)

-Okeechobee County REC: 10-0 (January 2010)

-Florida Federation of College Republicans: 71 percent (January 2010)

-Republican Business Council of North Central Florida: 141-12 (January 2010)

-Capital Conservatives: 40-0 (February 2010)

-Capital City Republican Club: 71-15 (February 2010)

-Brevard County GOP: 321-45 (February 2010)

-Orlando Tea Party: 277-17 (February 2010)

With this:

Charlie Crist gets to set the course for the GOP after all. (Whether it’s where Republicans want to be led -- that’s another question.)

Since we know that he’s listening and all -- what he’s hearing back is some mixed sounds, of varying volumes.

A party switch for Gov. Crist, R-Fla., may be his only remaining path to becoming a United States senator.

But it’s a path fraught with peril for the Republican Party -- and the possibility of Democrat Kendrick Meek winning in a three-way race would only be the GOP’s most immediate concern.

The storyline of Republican disarray was just about put to bed, or at least was on track to come to an end with this year’s primary season. Under the preferred (conservative) Republican scenario, Marcio Rubio defeats Charlie Crist, the Tea Party gets to drink deeply in victory, and there’s no Dede Scozzafava to worry about.

But if Crist runs as an independent, he writes a new chapter in a divisive story for the GOP, one that we’ll still be reading in November.

Looking at the results from the straw polls we see a Florida Republican Party that is united, statewide, behind Marco Rubio. In the excerpt above from Rick Klein’s article in The Note you would think that Rubio is the “Tea Party” candidate and that Crist is the “mainstream” guy. Not exactly the reality of the situation. And while it may be true that the national Republican Party has been in disarray, our state GOP is quite cohesive, particularly since we’ve been rid of Crist crony, former state chairman Jim Greer. Further, Klein’s article assumes two scenarios in the event of a three way race:
 
First, Rubio captures the far Right, Meek captures the far Left and Crist wins that wide swath in the middle.
 
OR
 
Second, Rubio captures the far Right and Meek and Crist split everything else with Crist taking just enough to become Florida's next senator.
 
More likely, if Crist launches an Independent bid,  Crist and Meek will split the Left while Rubio will take the Center and Right and Rubio will be our Senator.  As it stands now, Crist can't even take Pinellas County.

2008 not withstanding, Florida is a Center Right to Right state.  Neither Meek nor Crist stand a chance of winning in November.  Crist's best hope is 2012 but only if he uses the next two years to reinvent himself, ala John McCain, as a Conservative.  If Crist really is a pragmatist, now would be a good time for him to show it.

Cross posted at Not One Red Cent

Maybe if You Had a REALLY Big Violin Case

Per Troglopundit, the AP thinks this is a concealed weapon:

I dunno.

So, What's Your Excuse?

Er, I mean reason.  Don Surber is going with number 10.  I don't know, I'm leaning towards number one but six is good, too.  What's your pick?

A Picture Speaks a Thousands Words

From the City Journal:

Will He Stay or Will He Go?

The Weekly Standard:

The St. Pete Times reports:

The Marco Rubio campaign says Charlie Crist has halted all its TV advertising in the Orlando and Tampa Bay markets where the anti-Rubio spots were airing.

Crist's veto of the Jeb Bush-backed education bill seemed to be a strong sign he was running as an independent, but the decision to pull the ads could mean, as the Times reports, that "Crist has decided to marshal his resources for later or perhaps drop out altogether." First Read reported on Friday that Crist is considering dropping out and living to fight another day:

First Read has learned that Crist is getting much of his political advice nowadays from GOP strategist Mitch Bainwol, and they are considering two options right now: 1) making an independent bid, which would turn the general election into a toss-up; and 2) dropping out of the race altogether and turning his sights to a 2012 Senate challenge against Bill Nelson (D). But right now, no one is seriously talking about Crist staying in a GOP primary he’s trailing by double digits. The filing deadline is at the end of this month.

I've said all along that running as an Independent is not in Crist's best interest.  He won't win and an Independent bid would effectively end Crist's career.  Nothing that I have have seen from Crist indicates to me that he is a "cut off his nose to spite his face" kind of guy.  Better to bow out gracefully and look to the future.

On an interesting note, Dan Riehl is reporting that Crist is not taking or returning John Cornyn's calls:

It appears John Cornyn may be about to get something more painful from Charlie Crist than a back waxing. Cornyn pushed Crist early and hard. His pay back may come from the back and with a twist, capping off Cornyn's less than stellar performance at the NRSC.

Privately, GOP officials have even tried to broach the idea that Crist drop out of the race. NRSC chair John Cornyn called Crist on Friday, intending to make it clear that Crist should drop out if he doesn't believe he can win a party primary. Crist did not answer the phone, a source close to Cornyn said, and as of today Cornyn's call hasn't been returned.

I guess somebody isn't feeling the love.  It is hard to feel sorry for Cornyn.  He and the NRSC just seem to be capable of learning from their mistakes. 

Sir Trog Outdoes Himself

Troglopundit has his "Week in Automotivators" up.  I had a hard time picking out a favorite this week so I'll just show you one of my favorites:

Check them all.

A Very Odd Politician: Gov. Chris Christie

Every once in a great while, something happens that is so mind boggling, so unheard of, that the brain has trouble processing it.  What could possibly be more mind blowing than a politician who does exactly what he said he would do during his campaign:

A concise must read in the Journal today - stemming from a meeting between Christie and their editorial board. Christie's office interaction with the union chief is enough to warm your cold, black little Right-leaning heart. His focus on what's termed NJ's regulatory morass is key for a NJ resurgence. Christie claims he wants to prove to like minded politicians that if you stand up to the usual special interests they can and must be beaten for the good of the state. Read it, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

'I said all during the campaign last year that I was going to govern as if I was a one-termer," explains New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on a visit this week to the Journal's editorial board. "And everybody felt that it was just stuff you say during a campaign to sound good. I think after the first 12 weeks, given the stuff I've done, they figure: 'He's just crazy enough to do it.'"

Well, that's not how it is supposed to work.  Politicians get elected by running around their state, or country, promising everyone raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.  They stay elected by screwing over their constituents and kissing the over ample asses of every union boss as far as the eye can see.  Sure, their states end up like New Jersey, California, Michigan and countless others, but hey, at least the politician and his cronies still have a job.

Oddly, Christie has a new way of doing things.  He didn't blow smoke up anyone's tailpipe while he was running for office and now that he is in, he isn't kissing anybody's ass.  Best of all, Cristie's way seems to be working for the people of New Jersey.  Good for him.  Let's hope the trend catches on.

Read the rest.

Why Would a Parent or Grandparent Choose "Progressivism"?

I'm in a deep "I miss my grandkids" funk today.  Really, everything I do revolves around them somehow.  They certainly are central to how I view the world and politics. 

I absolutely believe that there are plenty of "progressive" grandparents out there who love their grandchildren as much as I love mine.  Why are we so different?  Why are they so willing to mortgage their grandchildren's future?  Do they believe that somehow, the deficits won't impact their grandchildren or that the impact won't be negative?

I just don't understand a parent or grandparent who can look at a child knowing that the decisions that we make today will affect that child's entire future, and their attitude is, "they'll get used to it."  Get used to diminished personal freedoms?  Get used to dependency on the government?

I look at my daughter, who is so far away, and I am proud that she has the tools and the freedom to be her own person.  How do progressive parents justify restricting their own children's choices for the benefit of others?  Progressive policies bring everyone down to a governmentally sanctioned level.  Conservative policies give each person the ability to rise above their circumstances.  It is the difference between "be all that you can be" and "be all that you can get by with."  Who chooses the latter for their children and grandchildren when they could choose the former? 

So, I though I miss them dearly, and I won't be getting over it, I'm proud of all those who sacrificed in the past so that my daughter has the choice of how to live her life and raise her children, no matter where it takes them.  For my part, I promise to whatever I can to ensure that my grandchildren inherit a country that provides them with the opportunities of their own making.  Wherever it takes them.

The More I Think About it, The Less "Thankful" I Become

Yeah, I know I've already posted on this but the more I think about Barack Obama saying that we should thank him for the situation this country is facing the less thankful I become.  The fact is, fifty-two percent of Americans gave us the most self-centered, self aggrandizing, egotistical president who has ever existed.  Are you thankful now?  I linked to Carol at No Sheeples Here earlier, but if somehow you missed her latest video, here it is:



If you can look at the period since January 20, 2008 and not believe that Barack is the Marieist of all Marie Antionettes, please let me know.  If you can look at what has happened to this country under the reign, yes, reign, of Barack Obama, and not be appalled, I want to hear about it.

Some of the signs of an abusive relationshipare that the abuser cuts off the victim's contact with allies and the abuser ridicules and demeans the victim.  Folks, we are in an abusive relationship and Barack Obama is the abuser.  He has insulted our traditional allies.  He ridicules and demeans the citizenry.  He fosters an environment where we are dependent on him for our basic necessities.  Hell, if his EPA gets their way, the very roofs over our heads won't truly belong to us.

Let me return to Carol, and echo her words, We will NEVER be thankful.

Quote of the Day: Adrienne's Corner

Upon seeing that our esteemed (cough) former president, Bill Clinton, drew comparisons between the Tea Party and Timothy McVeigh, my gag reflex immediately kicked in.  Every time I think of the Bill Clinton years I think "cigar".  Oh, and "stained blue dress".  I just can't take the man seriously.  Unfortunately, every time I tried to write about Clinton's remarks on the Tea Party, the images of Clinton that inevitably appear in my head prevented anything printable in a somewhat family friendly blog  from emerging.  Adrienne's Corner to the resue:

Meantime, Clinton, who "did not have sex with that woman", is warning us that "the words we use really do matter" , and is worried the tea partiers may start blowing up buildings. And Barry Soetoro finds us "amusing."

Exactly.

Opportunity Lost

The Oregon teacher who sought to "destroy" the Tea Party has been placed on paid administrative leave.  As a "Tea Partier" I am not thrilled with Jason Levin's activities that included everything from foolishness to encouraging people to commit identity theft.  Most of all, I wonder what Levin was teaching his middle school students and disappointed that he choose to pass on a wonderful opportunity.

He could have divided his students in to two groups, one pro-Tea Party, one anti, had them research the positions of the group that they represent, held debates, etc.  This was a great teachable moment for Levin and he blew it. 

Actually, the teaching opportunities involving the current crisis of government are endless.  How many teachers are blinded to the possibilities by their own ideology?  I am not advocating politics in the classroom but the study of the political process is certainly legitimate.  Teaching children to research policy positions, if done objectively, is certainly desirable.

In a classroom where the teacher's goal is to teach children how to think, as a opposed what to think, the dissection of current events is a powerful tool.  Shame Levin didn't appear interested in teaching when the opportunity arose.

Thank You, Mr. President

Our president thinks that we are a bunch of ingrates because we haven't thanked him for cutting our taxes.  Well, thank you,  Mr. President, for plunging our country deep in debt and mortgaging our children's future.  Thank you for pushing the Stimulus Bill that gave us those turtle tunnels but not only didn't hold unemployment to the eight percent you promised us but gave us ten percent unemployment for as long as the eye can see.  Thank you, Mr. President, for pushing Cap and Tax for which the American people will pay and pay for.  Thank you, Mr. President, for taking away a health care system that 85 percent of us were satisfied with and replacing it with ObamaCare, that will raise all of our premiums, and taxes, while giving us the same level of care enjoyed in Great Britain.   Excuse me for checking my gratitude at the door.  In fact, screw you, Mr. President.

Image credit:  Doug Ross and by extension, Barack Obama, who is much better at stand-up comedy than leader of the free world.

For more civil commentary check here and here.

Young People Come Out in Support of the Tea Party

Thank goodness that there are young people who don't want to stay on their parent's health insurance until they are twenty-six years old. 

One of the many things that made me proud yesterday at the Tax Day event in Tampa was the number of young people who came out in support of the protest.  These are young people who take an interest in what is going on in their country, take the time to be involved and know that ultimately, the decisions that are being made today will more impact on their lives than on the old farts who are making the decisions.  Listen to the young woman in the following video (around 1:20 in):



I talk a lot about my concern about the country that my grandchildren will inherit.  Jeremy and Olivia are nine and six years old.  It is the young man in the picture above and the young woman in the video and their contemporaries that I look to for encouragement that we can turn this country around. 

There are a lot of great links to yesterday's events around the country.  Troglopundit, The Other McCain, and Instapundit all have roundups.  Check them out.

Crist Watch: As the Worm Turns

Stacy McCain has a source that says Charlie Crist will announce today that he is launching an Independent bid for US Senator from Florida.  Put that in the "might as well" category.  Having vetoed the Jeb Bush backed and Republican supported teacher pay bill on Thursday, he has effectively ended any chance he might have had to defeat Marco Rubio to become the Republican candidate this fall.  From Jennifer Rubin at Contentions:

This might make sense — if independents were enamored of public employees’ unions and against school reform. But they aren’t, and its the sort of thing that will make Crist unpopular with everyone but the teachers’ union, which will no doubt support the Democrat in the general election anyway. No wonder Crist’s campaign chairman quit. It was the type of move for which Crist has now become infamous — combining bad politics with bad policy.

Moreover, Crist managed to infuriate popular ex-governor Jeb Bush, who’s as yet not made an official endorsement in the race. But his statement lashing out at Crist’s veto is the sort of thing Marco Rubio will be putting in his campaign ads:

I am disappointed by the veto of Senate Bill 6. … By taking this action, Governor Crist has jeopardized the ability of Florida to build on the progress of the last decade, which includes raising student achievement across the board, narrowing the achievement gap for poor and minority students, and improving graduation rates. Florida’s sustained improvement is the result of bold reforms that were challenging, controversial and sometimes even unpopular. Reform is hard work but without a commitment to change, Florida would not be 8th in the nation today.

All in all, it was a harebrained move by a politician who has demonstrated why it is a very good thing to have contested primaries: voters can figure out who’s a disaster waiting to happen.

I feel compelled to point out that this would not have been a contested primary had the NRSC had its way.  More proof that the NRSC should stay out of local politics until after the primary voters have had the opportunity to have their say.

Allahpundit:

 And then Mack abandons ship:

Gov. Charlie Crist’s political mentor, former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, resigned Thursday as Crist’s campaign chairman in his race for the U.S. Senate…

“As you know, I strongly disagree with your veto,” Mack wrote his fellow Republican. “Your veto I believe undermines our education system in Florida and the principles for which I have always stood.”

Mack went on to say that Crist’s decision to veto the bill was “unsupportable and wrong.”

“As you can understand, I can no longer serve as chairman for your campaign for the United States Senate,” Mack wrote.

I know today’s veto was a big deal but it surely wasn’t so big that Mack would cut ties to his own protege over it in an act of conscience. Either he’s using this as a pretext to head for the lifeboats because the Republican nomination is now officially unwinnable or Crist’s told him privately that he’s running as an independent and Mack refuses to go against the party. Either way, Crist’s days as a Republican Senate candidate are over. Say, John Cornyn — you and the NRSC endorsed Crist almost a year ago, didn’t you? How are you feeling this fine evening?

I've said all along that Crist running as an Independent would be an act of throwing good money after bad.  It won't help him and simply feeds in to Crist's reputation as being an opportunist.  If he wants any chance of preserving his political career, Crist needs to bow out gracefully.  I'm not sure that "graceful" is currently on Crist's radar.  In any case, Crist has learned that you can't run as a Republican while, literally, embracing Democrats.






H/T Instapundit

Let the Party Begin UPDATED

Thank you to Doug Ross, No Sheeples Here, Marathon Pundit, and Paco for the links!

Things are starting to kick in here in Tampa.  I don't have a crowd estimate yet because people are absolutely streaming in to Joe Chillura Park here in downtown Tampa.  Enjoy the pictures I've gotten so far.  I will be updating as frequently as possible.

These two were my bench buddies for a while.

Nice little crowd has gathered now.

Video of "God Bless America"

I saw two anti-Tea Party protesters.  The first, a young girl, carried a sign that said, "The street that you are standing on?  Thank taxes."  She seemed a bit confused.  I didn't get a good look at the second guy.  Poor thing, the people by him obviously take very seriously the slogan, "We surround them."  I am thinking he wishes he had stayed home.

The Rubio and Adams supporters were out in force.  Great to see.  Eddie Adams is running against Kathy Castor here in the 11th District.  Today is the second time I've listenned to Adams speak in public and I am impressed with him.  Marco Rubio would have been here today but he recently learned that his father's cancer has returned and Rubio was spending time with him.. My prayers to him and his family.

Congradulations to Sharon Calvert and John Hendrix for doing such a great job putting this whole thing together.  All of their very hard work paid off.

I have more video but I am having trouble uploading.  Maybe tommorrow.  In the meantime, today was a good day!

Today is the Big Day!

I will be in Tampa participating in the Tampa Tax Day Tea Party event.  I will at the event as both a participant and a volunteer.  I have signed up to be the "official" videographer so please, wish me luck.

Some random thoughts on today.

This is an opportunity for all of us, across the country, to stand up together and make our voices heard.  Don't sit on the couch, get up.  If you are unhappy with the direction this country is taking find the Tea Party event closest to you and go.  If you have to work today, stop by on your way home.  Pick up the kids after school and take them to an event.  This is democracy and our children should be given the opportunity to see it in action. 

There has been alot of talk about infiltrators and crashers this year.  It is what it is and I can't think of any surer sign that the Tea Party has been successful than the ugliness directed our way by the Left.  Don't be intimidated and let yourself to be compromised by the Left's aggression.  Take pictures and if you don't have a blog and don't know where to send them to, email them to me at ctsloset@gmail.com and I will get them out there.

Remember, the choice isn't between standing up and sitting down.  The choice is between standing up and laying down.  Let's stand up together.

Happy partying and stay safe out there.

Sean Hannity and Marco Rubio at The Villages

Tonight Marco Rubio appeared at The Villages of Florida where Sean Hannity was taping his show and doing a book signing.  Hannity's guests included Rubio, Lt. Col. Alan West, Coach Lou Holtz, and Tucker Carlson.  I learned an important lesson about attending the taping a show at an outdoor venue-the closer you are the less you see and you hear nothing.  I was about 20 feet from the stage and didn't see a thing.  I moved back and was able to hear most of the show.

After the show I moved over to Rubio's bus and got a video of Rubio talking to the crowd and then went to the book signing. The line went down the road forever.

Just as I took this picture the crowd broke out in a cheer.  I turned just in time to see Sean Hannity zoom by me in a golf court.  He passed barely five feet from me and I missed the picture.

All and all it was a wonderful time.  Lt. Col. Alan West is an inspiring speaker who will make a wonderful Congressman.  The crowd was enthusiastic and it is an incredible experience to see so many people come out in support of their country.  Any time that I get an opportunity to listen to Marco Rubio I am right there. 

Now I'm exhausted.  Enjoy the video but be kind, it is a first for me.